Top of page

Book/Printed Material Book of the Crosses. Libro De Las Cruzes

About this Item

Title

  • Book of the Crosses.

Other Title

  • Libro De Las Cruzes

Summary

  • Libro De Las Cruzes (Book of the crosses) is one of the codices produced in the royal chamber of Alfonso X, King of Castile and Leon, also known as Alfonso el Sabio (Alfonso the Wise). This book is one of the very few publications in which Alfonso officially refers to himself as the king of Spain. The work shows the king's interest in astrology. Alfonso's extended royal stays in Toledo, and the fact that the codex was completed in 1259, also hint that the king could have been present to actively supervise this translation from the Arabic. The translators were Judah ben Moses ha-Cohen and Johan Daspa, two frequent collaborators in various projects carried out under Alfonso X. The translation is based on the work by the Arab astrologer Oveidala ('Ubayd Allah b. Jalaf al-Istiyi). Some scholars believe that the original version of this work was a late Latin text from the Visigoth era, on which Oveidala based his work. In this version, a 59th chapter referring to Spain is added. The manuscript was done on parchment with French gothic typography, and it includes ornamental details and initial letters in red and blue. The circles were painted using red ink, and the surrounding filigree was painted in blue, green, or violet. There are some figurative ornamental accents, such as faces (sheets 14 recto and 36 recto). The title of the work comes from the intersecting diameters of the circles, which divide the circles into six sections. The manageable size of the book suggests that it was intended for frequent use.

Names

  • Alfonso X, King of Castile and Leon, 1221-1284 Associated Name.
  • Cohen, Judah ben Moses Translator.
  • Daspa, Johan Translator.
  • Istiyi, 'Ubayd Allāh b. Jalaf Author.

Created / Published

  • [place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified], 1259.

Headings

  • -  Spain
  • -  700 to 799
  • -  Astrology
  • -  Astrology, Arab
  • -  Geodesy

Notes

  • -  Title devised, in English, by Library staff.
  • -  Original resource extent: 201 folios.
  • -  Original resource at: National Library of Spain.
  • -  Content in Spanish.
  • -  Description based on data extracted from World Digital Library, which may be extracted from partner institutions.

Medium

  • 1 online resource.

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2021667858

Online Format

  • compressed data
  • pdf
  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is unaware of any copyright or other restrictions in the World Digital Library Collection. Absent any such restrictions, these materials are free to use and reuse. Researchers are encouraged to review the source information attached to each item. For information on contacting WDL partner organizations, see this archived list of partners

The Library asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here.

Credit Line: [Original Source citation], World Digital Library

More about Copyright and other Restrictions

For additional information and contact information for many of the partner organizations, see this archived capture of the World Digital Library site from 2021.

For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Alfonso X, King Of Castile And Leon, Associated Name, Judah Ben Moses Translator Cohen, Johan Translator Daspa, and 'Ubayd Allāh B. Jalaf Author Istiyi. Book of the Crosses. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, 1259] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667858/.

APA citation style:

Alfonso X, K. O. C. A. L., Cohen, J. B. M. T., Daspa, J. T. & Istiyi, '. A. B. J. A. (1259) Book of the Crosses. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2021667858/.

MLA citation style:

Alfonso X, King Of Castile And Leon, Associated Name, et al. Book of the Crosses. [Place of Publication Not Identified: Publisher Not Identified, 1259] Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2021667858/>.